NRSC Runs Anti-Franken Ad, Despite Coleman Pledge To Stay Positive

Just days after Norm Coleman took down his negative advertisements and pledged to run a 100 percent positive campaign, the Senator's allies are doing the dirty work on his behalf.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee has put out a new ad hammering away at Coleman's opponent Al Franken, hitting his record on taxes, his economic plan, and even his personal finances.

"He would make things worse," the spot, titled "Frustrated," declares.

In addition, Franken aides tell the Huffington Post, the Chamber of Commerce is out with a new ad attacking their boss on economic matters as well.

The tone stands in sharp contrast to what Coleman declared to be his newfound objective just last Friday.

"I decided that I was not all that interested in returning to Washington for six years based on the judgment of voters that I was not as bad as the other two guys," the beleaguered Minnesota Republican told reporters. "I want folks to vote for me, not against the other guys."

Much of this is beyond Coleman's control. During his presser, he noted that his campaign was legally prohibited from coordinating with outside groups in regards to their expenditures or commercials. But, it should be noted, Coleman is aiming to take over the NRSC if he is reelected. And the Chamber of Commerce employs as a consultant Jeff Larson, a GOP insider who is part of Coleman's inner circle, helped arrange the Senator's sweet-deal apartment arrangement and serves as the treasurer of his political action committee.

Keep in mind, however, that during the Democratic primary, John Edwards was widely criticized because his former campaign manager Nick Baldick headed a 527 organization that ran ads against Barack Obama. It will be interesting to see whether Coleman is questioned on this front or pressured to publicly denounce the NRSC's new ad.

Comments

[Tommygun264]

The pub losers are getting desperate. Pathetic. Simply Pathetic.

Guess it's time to make another donation to Al's campaign.

[bietz]

I'm curious as to what accent the woman in the commercial had? Its like Irish/Minnesotan. Whatever it is... it's weird.

[JRGris]

I live in California so I have been sending money to Al Franken because we have our full complement of Democratic Senators. Now I am sending some more because we need to get rid of all of the Republicans we possibly can.

[Tommygun264]

Same here - I'm in Honolulu and have been giving to Franken's campaign as well. My reasons have less to do with party politics, although I am a liberal independent, and more to do with the fact that Coleman badmouthed the late Senator Wellstone.

[yellowdogminnesotan]

Finally someone who is covering this story! You couldn't be more correct. I live in Saint Paul Minnesota and heard the National News tell me Norm Colmen wan't going to run any more negative adds. Then the next day there where negative adds attacking Al Fraken. My wife said maybe he paid for them ahead of time so they will stop running after a couple of days. Almost a week has gone by and now we're not only seeing the same attack ads we're seeing NEW attack adds. I don't think anyone in Minnesota believes Norm's hands are clean or he's being very cleaver. We just see more of the same, the same being what's wrong with Washington and the reason why we need change.

[toosinbeymen]

You expect an R to keep his word? What planet do you live on?

[Mattie]

It's funny, even though I support Franken whole heartedly, the Dems ads are amusing. They tell us in Minnesota that under no circumstances should we vote for Coleman because he supported the Cheney Energy bill. Ok, that seems reasonable, what Democrat would support anyone who would support the biggest giveaway to big oil in history. Oh wait, Obama supported the Dick Cheney Energy bill, and voted for it. I guess they left that part out of the ad when they are telling us we can't vote for Coleman for that reason. Which is it, is it ok when a Dem votes for the bill, and bad when a Republican does it. I support Franken because he's the best candidate, I just wish all the ads were more truthful. The Cheney Energy bill, and his support for it, is one of the many reasons why I won't vote for Obama.

[NationalTreasure]

Coleman is not responsible fo rthe ads the NRSC is responsible for the ads, so Coleman has not gone back on his word :-) wink wink

What's new folks? Coleman simply looks like a typical republican hypocrite.

[funkalicious]

Norm Coleman typical Republican making promises he cant keep.
Because he associates himself with Republican reprobates and bullies.

Send some support To Al Franken http://www.alfranken.com/

put the boots to Norm Coleman and his low life Republican associates
Do it today .... and make your change count

[yellowdogminnesotan]

Your right Funk, now is the time for change, we need to give the majority he needs in the senate to get the things done that need to be done so we can get this country out of the ditch. So everyone let's pitch in!

[buddydave]

1. Coleman sees his numbers sliding
2. He sees the backlash against McCain/Palin's negative campaigning
3. He pledges to pull all of his negative ads
4. Negative ads from outside groups supporting Coleman actually increase
5. Coleman says, "It's not my fault" their ads are negative -- my campaign is positive

Only we Minnesotans can answer number 6 ("Will the voting public fall for it?").

[AgeofReason]

But can you explain why the NRSC chose a narrator with a southern accent? Do they not know that Minnesota is in the mid-west?

[Rog49Thomas]

You need to be a bit clearer.

Is it next to Afghanistan or Spain?

[woody2fiver]

Buddydave has it about right.
As far as the southern accent on the narrator, well maybe...
1. there are neo-confederates everywhere, maybe that is what the "base" has dwindled to, mouth-beathers and stars-and-bars folk.
2. that voice might make Franken's sound more, how do the "base" put it?...Jewish
3. the narrator could have been handy as he has been recording Liz Dole and Saxby Chambliss spots for about two weeks.
4. they are idiots.
5. If Coleman loses, at least the state will be ready for the Southern drawl of Newt Gingrich in 2012.

I think if Franken wins, he'll be in that seat for a long time. He is a super intelligent man and I think he'll flourish in the Senate. I think the Republicans know that if they can't beat him when he's running as a comedian, they will NEVER beat him once he's seen as capable, articulate effective incumbent. Minnesota has always hung onto their intelligent public officials in Washington, and if they give Franken one term, he'll earn many more.

[Le nombril]

I don't care for Coleman much, but I'm gonna have to give him the benefit of the doubt here. He said he was going to stop his negative ads and "encourage others who are campaigning for my benefit to do the same." He has no control over what those "others" do. I, for one, certainly didn't expect for one minute that those "others" were going to follow suit. I haven't seen one negative commercial directly from Coleman since his promise and I appreciate that. I wish others would do the same. I only would like to show appreciation where appreciation is due, no matter which party it comes from.

[Grunty1]

I've seen no reason to give him the benefit of the doubt.
He only called off negative ads because he saw that they are poison to the electorate this year, with lots of REAL ISSUES to worry about. Politics, not integrity.

[Le nombril]

True enough. I guess I'm just grasping at anything that will help get rid of all the poisonous political ads. They aren't helpful and they provide no useful information. Everything in them is pure bull. You can't believe any of the information contained in them.

[11907281]

You are a fool, no offense.

[argent1]

CSPAN played the debate the three contenders from MN had. The independent, Barkley - seems the realist, but of no chance to win, except to winnow down Norm's slim margin. Norm is completely slimey - like those fresh water eels from the lakes.

[Mattie]

the problem in MN is, Barley's votes are coming from people who would otherwise support Franken. I'm voting third party for President, so I can't complain about people voting for who they feel will do the best job, but I really want Franken to win, more than that, I really want Coleman to lose. He has done nothing for Minnesotans, and it's time for a change. Anyone in the Senate or House right now, who stood silently by, while Bush destroyed our economy doesn't deserve to be re-elected, Democrat or Republican, and they certainly don't deserve a promotion.

[madashellvoter]

I been following Al Frankin politically since he was on Air America radio, the man is NO IDIOT! He knows the polictics of MN and the U.S. I would be proud to have him as my Senator.
Plus, he"s funny as hell.

[Mattie]

His books were hysterical, and not only that, they were intelligent and filled with the truth. He fact checked everything and seems like an honest man. I too will be proud to have him as my senator.

[iPolitics]

Lieberman writes op-ed for Coleman (R)

http://www.twincities.com/opinion/ci_10696563?nclick_check=1

[KathyinCT]

Link doesn't work and I can't find a Lieberman op-ed on www.twincities site. Would love to see it if you can locate.

thx -- always nice to see what lunacy the senator from my home state is doing "abroad"

[iPolitics]

it works. try it again. it's probably busy with people who want to see the traitor's words.

[KathyinCT]

Hey iPolitics -- when I try the link, it says I'm trying to reach secure HuffPo site. When I copy and retype it -- nada.

Wish you could copy and post here, but with the word limit. RATS!

[iPolitics]

google: Sen. Coleman led well and exposed billions in waste and fraud

[Grunty1]

He loves giving that "kiss of death", doesn't he?

[honeydiva]

every one should turn off tv for the next three weeks...yeah right! lol

[Chansmom]

He's only following what McCain and Falin' are doing, that's all.